Responding to the appointment of Jim Mackey as first Chief Executive of NHS Improvement, Nuffield Trust Chief Executive Nigel Edwards said:
“Jim Mackey is a very able leader who has made a real difference to NHS services in his local area. I welcome his appointment. But it comes at a time when the NHS is facing unprecedented challenges, and confusion over how it is run and who is in charge.
“Last week we published with NHS Providers a collection of essays from some of the health service's top figures, giving their advice for the first holder of this important post. They called for a move away from the old, top-down way of regulating the NHS, towards inspiring and empowering the local leaders and clinicians who can make the most real difference.
“Jim must start to do this at the same time as he confronts very serious short term problems, and firmly defines what the purpose of his new organisation is. It will be no easy task, but he will have the firm support of leaders across the NHS.”